Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine

The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine understands that some
wounds won’t heal without professional intervention. As the only
accredited hyperbaric medicine center in Palm Beach County, the Center
has physicians and staff with specialized training in wound care and hyperbaric
medicine. Advanced wound healing therapies are practiced and a personalized
program of care is created for each patient.

The Center has this area’s largest individual hyperbaric oxygen chambers
and the attending multidisciplinary team includes podiatrists, surgeons
and infectious disease specialists. Ask your physician for a referral
or call us today at 561.955.5299.

The Healing Power of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions including:

Enhancement of healing in selected problem wounds

Crush injuries

Osteomyelitis

Radiation tissue damage

Skin grafts and flaps

Some treatment modalities that may be used include:

Topical wound therapy

Debridement

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Growth factor therapy

Tissue therapy

Once a treatment plan has been initiated, you will visit the center on
a regular basis for wound care and documentation of the progress of your
healing. You will also be fully instructed on how to do your own wound
care at home between visits, as well as how to protect your wound from
further injury. It is very important to remember that you are the most
important part of your healing process. Keeping appointments and following
directions are critical to attaining a positive healing outcome.

Dealing with Problem Wounds

At any given time, almost 5,000,000 Americans suffer from chronic, non-healing
wounds. There are many different kinds of wounds including diabetic ulcers,
pressure ulcers, traumatic wounds, and ulcers caused by circulation problems.
It can be very frustrating and time consuming to heal these wounds. At
the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at Boca Raton Regional
Hospital, we follow treatment protocols specifically established for each
type of wound. We utilize the latest approaches to wound healing and remain
current in new scientific advances in wound care.

A Team of Wound Care Specialists

The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at Boca Raton Regional
Hospital is designed to complement your physicians' services and is committed
to the treatment of difficult, non-healing wounds. The center is made
up of a team of professionals that includes:

Upon referral to the center, you will undergo a thorough diagnostic examination
to identify the type of wound you have and the underlying problems causing
the wound. Some of the diagnostic modalities which may be used include:

After this determination, a program specifically tailored to your needs
will be initiated based on the most effective treatment options. A multispecialty
approach will be utilized to provide the maximum benefit to your wound.

Getting Ready for Your Treatment After an initial consultation and examination at the center, you will
receive complete instructions regarding your treatment.

For safety reasons there are certain items not allowed inside the hyperbaric
chambers. Please do not wear or bring the following into the chamber during
your treatment:

Make-up, nail polish, perfume, aftershave

Flammable materials

Wigs/hairpieces, hairspray and hair oils

Hearing aids

Alcohol or petroleum based products

Metallic items (such as jewelry, watches, and coins)

Ask your hyperbaric physician for advice on wearing contact lenses during
treatment. You should also refrain from smoking or the use of any tobacco
products during the entire course of therapy. Tobacco use will prolong
or even prevent healing of a wound site due to its effect on the blood
vessels in your body.

Before starting your treatment session, you will change into a 100% cotton
garment provided by the center. For safety reasons, no other clothing
may be worn inside the hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber.

What to Expect During Treatment

Once you are comfortably positioned inside the chamber, the pressure will
gradually increase and the temperature will temporarily rise. When the
desired pressure is achieved, the temperature will be adjusted to your
comfort. You may experience fullness in your ears as a result of the increased
pressure. The technician will instruct you in ways to help clear the pressure
and relieve any discomfort. Most treatment sessions in the chamber last
approximately one and a half hours. While undergoing treatment, you may
watch TV or videos, simply relax or even sleep.

When the treatment is completed, the chamber is restored to normal pressure
and the interior of the chamber will become cooler.

If You Are Sick or on Medication

If you have a cold or cough, the flu, sore throat, chills, nausea, vomiting
or diarrhea, you should inform the staff at the center. Alert the staff
to any medications you are taking or changes in medication during the
course of your treatment.

If you are diabetic, please eat properly and continue to take your prescribed
medication to control your blood sugar level. Your blood sugar level will
also be checked during each visit to the center.

The Possibility of Side Effects

You may experience temporary vision changes that should return to normal
a few weeks after your therapy is completed. Our physicians recommend
that you not change the prescription of your eyewear during the course
of your therapy. Some patients experience fatigue during treatment. This
is completely normal.

Other Important Information

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is usually administered on an outpatient basis.
If you drive, you may drive yourself to the center for therapy, and you
should allow up to two and a half hours for each visit. Medicare and most
health care plans reimburse for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 'currently
accepted indications.' Our courteous and professional staff is available
to assist you with all of your personal insurance issues.